#19370 Marsden Hartley (1877-1943)

The composition presents a layered and symbolic scene framed by a vibrant red border with blue vertical accents. The central focus is occupied by two equestrian figures positioned within a luminous golden circle that appears suspended amidst swirling white clouds. One rider commands a white horse, while the other sits atop a dark-hued steed. Both are depicted in profile, facing towards the viewer’s left, and appear to be engaged in a forward movement. The riders attire is somewhat obscured by the stylized rendering, but they seem to wear garments indicative of authority or ceremonial significance.
Beneath this central grouping, a landscape unfolds, divided into distinct horizontal bands. The upper band shows a cluster of buildings nestled within a pastoral setting, suggesting a rural community or settlement. A lower band features an abstract arrangement of geometric shapes and stylized foliage, creating a sense of ordered growth or perhaps symbolic representation of natural forces. At the very bottom, a small depiction of a rising sun hints at renewal or hope.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – reds, yellows, and golds – contrasted with cooler blues and greens. The use of flat planes and simplified forms contributes to a sense of stylized formality rather than realistic representation. The overall effect suggests a narrative scene imbued with allegorical meaning; the equestrian figures likely represent powerful entities or concepts, while the landscape elements provide context for their actions or significance.
The arrangement of these elements – the celestial sphere, the riders, and the terrestrial landscape – implies a hierarchical structure, possibly reflecting a cosmology or system of beliefs where earthly concerns are viewed within a larger spiritual framework. The repetition of geometric motifs throughout the composition reinforces this sense of order and symbolic meaning.